MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) – A time-honored tradition took place Friday in Manitowoc, as a historic car ferry set sail for the first time this season.
The start of the sailing season marks the unofficial start of summer for many Manitowoc and Two Rivers residents.
The event always features plenty of fan-fare, including appearances from members of the Red Hat Society.
“We like to be here to meet the Maiden voyage of the car ferry,” says Kathy Fischer from the Red Hat Society. “It’s just something we’ve done for quite a long time.”
While many residents have been attending for years and years, there was something new going on Friday.
The change didn’t have to do with the ferry, but rather the dock.
Both the dock and wall are new, as they are replacing the previous, mostly wooden, dock, which was around seventy-five years old.
“Last year we had to do some emergency repairs on it because a lot had to be repaired because of the ice build up so it needed to be replaced,” says Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels. “We got a $5 million FASTLANE grant from the federal government and here in the city we got about $2.5 million in Harbor Assistance funding through the State of Wisconsin.”
Crews worked around the clock to make sure the dock and wall was complete by opening day.
Total work amounted to about six months, until it was totally finished.
“Right now we are just doing sight restorations and demobilization and putting fences in and getting ready to move out,” says Ted Jennejohn with McMullen & Pitz Construction Co.
He says the process was a challenging one for him and his crew, but also rewarding.
“The new facility just really shows the communities commitment to the S.S Badger and it certainly is going to provide the means for the boat to serve the Ludington and Manitowoc communities for may more years to come,” he explains.
More information on the ferry can be found here.
